FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2011

OTTAWA – Kai Sheffield of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law is the winner of the 2011 Canadian Bar Association (CBA) National Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Section (NEERLS) Law School Essay Contest David Estrin Prize.

Mr. Sheffield’s essay, “Of Pulp Mills and Oil Spills: Strict state liability under customary international law when energy and resource projects cause trans-boundary environmental harm,” considers whether state practice supports strict state liability in relation to trans-boundary environmental concerns. It relates these issues to current events such as the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“This well-written essay provides a useful overview of the state liability issue,” said NEERLS Essay Committee Chair Alexandria Pike. “Its thorough review of key academic sources and consideration of both historic and recent events make it highly relevant and deserving of this year’s award.”

Mr. Sheffield, a native of Vancouver, is a second year J.D. student at the University of Toronto. After obtaining an undergraduate degree from the University of British Columbia, he volunteered at a sea turtle conservation site in Costa Rica. He has a strong interest in environmental and resources law and hopes to practice in these fields following graduation.

The Law School Essay Contest promotes and rewards interest in environmental, energy, and resources law topics in Canadian law schools. The award honours David Estrin, a pioneer of environmental law in Canada and a partner at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP in Toronto. Mr. Estrin has advised government agencies, corporations, and institutions, assisted in policy development and drafting of legislation in Ontario, Alberta, and Canada, and appeared before provincial and federal courts. He has written six books and taught in management programs and universities. Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP is a Foundation Sponsor of the award.

The award prize consists of $500 cash plus registration, airfare, meals, and accommodation at the CBA 2011 NEERLS Law Summit, taking place April 7-9, 2011 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta. The contest certificate will be presented to Mr. Sheffield on April 7. Mr. Sheffield’s essay will be published in the NEERLS newsletter, the EcoBulletin.

The Canadian Bar Association is dedicated to support for the rule of law, and improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 37,000 lawyers, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Hannah Bernstein
The Canadian Bar Association
Tel: 613-237-2925 x 146
April 4-5: 613-797-6322
E-mail: hannahb@cba.org